Swarthmore station

Swarthmore
General information
Location 2 South Chester Road (PA 320), Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081
Coordinates 39.902221°N 75.350985°W / 39.902221; -75.350985
Owned by SEPTA
Platforms 2 side platforms
Tracks 2
Connections Suburban Bus SEPTA Suburban Bus: 109
Construction
Accessible Yes
Other information
Fare zone 3
History
Opened October 19, 1854
Electrified December 2, 1928
Previous names Westdale
Passengers
2017 790 boardings
825 alightings
(weekday average)
Rank 23 of 146
Services
Preceding station SEPTA Following station
Wallingford
toward Wawa
Media/Wawa Line Morton
toward Temple University
Former services
Preceding station Pennsylvania Railroad Following station
Wallingford
toward West Chester
West Chester Line Morton
toward Suburban Station

Swarthmore station is a SEPTA Regional Rail station in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Located on Chester Road between downtown Swarthmore and Swarthmore College, it serves the Media/Wawa Line.

In 2013, this station saw 765 boardings and 699 alightings on an average weekday. Dollar-a-day parking and permit parking are available. It is the first outward-bound Zone 3 station from the central Philadelphia stations. It is the busiest station on the Media/Wawa Line outside of Center City. The adult fare to and from Central Philadelphia is currently $5 during off-peak hours, with an additional $2 surcharge assessed for those who buy a ticket on the train, regardless of whether the ticket window is open.

The ticket office is located on the inbound side of the tracks in a building used otherwise by Swarthmore College and the Chester Children's Chorus. The building was originally built in 1880 by the Pennsylvania Railroad and formerly held the Jumping Cow cafe. Swarthmore's main street, Chester Road, has passed under the station since 1931. Before Swarthmore College was opened, the station was known as Westdale.

Station layout

Swarthmore has two low-level side platforms.

G
Side platform, doors will open on the right Disabled access
Outbound ←      Media/Wawa Line toward Wawa (Wallingford)
Inbound ←      Media/Wawa Line toward Temple University (Morton) →
Side platform, doors will open on the right Disabled access
Street level Exit/entrance and parking

Bibliography

  • Westcott, Thompson (1875). The Official Guide Book to Philadelphia. A New Handbook for Strangers and Citizens. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Porter and Coates. Retrieved February 3, 2022.